FG Trains 700 Oyo Youths, Targets Five Million Nigerians for Poverty Reduction

The Federal Government has empowered 700 beneficiaries in Oyo State with vocational skills, digital devices and business starter kits under its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and reduce poverty.

The beneficiaries graduated on Friday, October 9, after completing a 10-day training programme organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE).

The programme, which began on September 28, was held at the University of Ibadan and focused on equipping participants with practical skills to establish businesses, secure employment and build sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Dr Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s target of lifting five million Nigerians out of poverty over the next four years.

She said the government was seeking to provide young Nigerians with opportunities, relevant skills and tools to achieve economic independence rather than relying solely on temporary assistance.

According to Arogundade, 30 participants received training in artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics design, while 85 were trained in makeup artistry and another 85 in fashion design.

The remaining 500 beneficiaries received digital devices to support their participation in the digital economy.

Participants were also provided with equipment, including laptops, sewing machines, makeup kits and digital tablets, depending on their training areas.

Arogundade urged the graduates to use the skills and equipment productively, establish viable businesses and share their knowledge with others in their communities.

She said the programme’s success would extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries if participants trained others and created employment opportunities.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, describing it as a useful step towards addressing youth unemployment and reducing poverty.

He encouraged public officials and stakeholders to support similar initiatives that equip young people with practical skills and opportunities for self-reliance.

The Federal Government said the programme would be extended to other geopolitical zones, with subsequent training phases expected to target 1,200 participants each.

The nationwide rollout is intended to expand access to vocational education, digital skills and entrepreneurship support as part of the government’s broader poverty-reduction strategy.